Meet Discovered:“Business is a force for good”

Next month, startup Discovered sets up office at The Hague’s Caballero Factory. Discovered is the first global marketplace where handmade goods can be bought directly from artisans around the world. They’re all about good business. We checked in with founder Gijsbert Van der Sleen to hear the latest.

Creative energies

Starting from July, Discovered will be based at The Hague’s Binckhaven district. They will set up office at the illustrious Caballero Factory. “The Caballero Factory is great. I’ve been wanting to work from there for a long time,” Gijsbert shares his enthusiasm.

“I’m from The Hague myself. The Hague is a great city,” he explains. “But that’s just part of the story. The Caballero Factory offers a unique environment with lots of multimedia and Internet companies. We’re very much looking forward to tapping into the creative energies and online expertise of our future neighbors.”

“The development of the overall Binckhaven area is now in full swing. This is very promising. Energy is building and interesting, like-minded companies are flocking there. We are excited to be part of it,” Gijsbert says.

Good business

Discovered is the first global marketplace where handmade goods can be bought directly from artisans. It offers handmade jewelry, bags, accessories, and gifts from around the world. Discovered is all about doing business and doing good. “I always believed that people would use business as a force for good if they could,” Gijsbert says.

“When you make handmade products, it is hard to grow your business. It turns out that the actual makers go home with the least of the earnings,” Gijsbert explains. “I think this is unfair and needs to be changed.”

Changing lives

That’s how the idea of a global and fair marketplace was born. “We believe that artisans can change their lives through increasing their business. Artisans around the world can now pack their goods and drop them off at the local post office. This offers them altogether new avenues to increase their revenues,” he explains the company’s rationale.

And consumers like it, too. “By giving consumers the opportunity to connect with that fantastic designer from Indonesia, or that talented silversmith from India, we shorten the supply chain and enable artisans from around the world to actually be in contact with their customers,” Gijsbert explains.

What’s more, “Getting to know the stories behind the item you bought, having the chance to have a chat with the maker, being able to share your story, that’s what Discovered is all about,” Gijsbert adds.

We gladly welcome Discovered to the City of The Hague. Interested in their journey? Keep an eye on their website and follow them on Facebook.

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